A divided Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction and life prison sentence of a Paragould man.

The court rejected the appeal of Marlin Stevenson — who was convicted of the August 2011 stabbing death of Michael Fox at the home of Fox's mother — where Stevenson was also living.

Prosecutors say Stevenson stabbed Fox after Fox told his mother that Stevenson had been smoking marijuana.

Two justices dissented in the opinion dated Friday. Justice Karen Baker said Stevenson's prior crimes should not have been admitted in trial and Justice Josephine Linker Hart said police questioning of Stevenson should not have continued after he requested a lawyer.